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Suspect in 2011 Audubon Co. fatal crash pleads not guilty to charges

October 18th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

A south central Iowa man who was extradited from North Dakota to face a vehicular homicide charge in Audubon County, entered a written plea of Not Guilty to the charge Tuesday, in Audubon County District Court. The statement also said 56-year old Kendall Ware, of Lineville, plead not guilty as well, to a charge of Serious Injury by Vehicle. The charges against him were the result of the crash of between an SUV and a pickup in Oct. 2011 near Brayton, that claimed the life of 17-year old Kristopher Crawley, and caused serious injuries to his passenger, 22-year old Jason Rattenborg. Both of the crash victims are from Audubon.Ware, and a passenger in his truck, were also injured.

A report filed by the Iowa State Patrol and cited by the Omaha World-Herald, says Ware had a blood-alcohol content of .205, following the crash, or more than 2½ times the legal limit. During the months since an investigation into the crash was being conducted, Ware fled the area. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service last week, in North Dakota.